MY SOULMATE

cused on selecting a dress. The dress I was presently trying on was a delicate shade of pink adorned with innumerable sequins and feathers cascading from its

ad seldom encountered. Sunlight poured in from a skylight, illuminating the array of mi

ce was stripped of any facade. His sharply pointed nose seemed emblematic of accumulated falsehoods, and his blond hair was styled in a spiky ma

Are you really suggesting I try this on?" I inquired, my fingers tra

'm merely suggesting you give it a try," he replied

to retreat behind the curtain whe

o hide," h

I responded

eated, his gaze both patient and inquisit

by the store attendant

out their garments. They're dressmakers, after all. Besides, they're engrosse

e sincerely. Averting my gaze, I discreetly undid the concealed zipper along the side of the pink gown, al

miliar quality—a demeanor that

n he provoked me to surpass my limitations or when we bade each other fa

ttempted to slip my fingers between my ribs, seeking his heart within m

Christian's enigmatic grin intensified, an exp

d while urging me to transcend my confines. Nor was it akin to the smile he wore when bi

ered nothing but the hollow cavity where skin once resided—a sight of my bar

. The vivid imagery receded, replaced by the enveloping darkness. My surroundings became familiar—the chair posi

rio wherein Christian's actions deviated from his true nature. He would never have subjected me to the provocation of undressing for his amusement or

ow puncturing the skin amidst my Achilles tendon and ankle bones. I had managed to manipulate the band through skin, veins, and tendons with the aid of the Red Forest, bu

ompletely the aperture in my skull through which the bullet had entered. Though a

Forest—an ethereal expanse resembling a bridge formed from bone. From this vantage point, I perceived the entirety of the silver band, suspended over terrain marked b

xtricate the band, yet I knew that Brandon, my captor, would intercede. His intervention would result in the band materializing around my alternate ankle, and my endeavor would ne

ish my captivity, Christian had yet to orchestrate my rescue. Akin to the duration of my wait at the hotel, when my aim was to attract

hey spanned the entire space, affording her and Brandon access. At times, their entry was seamless, accomplished via doorways; in other instances, they would reconfigure stone, fabricating

ed a predictable pattern, rev

Red Forest?" Brandon's que

disco

ence you're already aware," m

the entirety of the silver band, spanning the crimson-hued landscape representing my bloodstream. The ring, interwove

don sought to compel me towards

his erstwhile Scottish accent. His speech now bore an unfamiliar cadence, a feature more alienating than hi

, for Brandon and Pricina coveted knowledge distinct from that which Christian possessed within his heart. The

hts paramount to your objectives," Brandon po

he castle's illumination. My abduction had transpired during the waning days of summer, with autumn yielding to the equino

sdain, their logic serving as a source of repugnance. Stubbornly, I wit

ned an enigma—a tranquil observer devoid of allegiance. As for Brandon, his purpose was to preserve the integrity of the glass barrier. This metaphorical glass

and graceful, impelled me

tone imbued with accusation. "Is sh

u," Brandon responded, a veneer o

disbelief, concealing my skepticism beneath the veneer of a

nipulate the glass? Can you

ered, momenta

discerned that Brandon lacked the capacity to man

ities necessitated the exchange of corporeal fragments. I resided as

ance. The conversations with Brandon

Red Forest," he proposed, his accent accentuating his message. "It

istently, stoking my anger. Unyi

had you allowed a few more hours to transpire, the union might have mat

nawed at my patience. Unyielding, I withheld any concessions, de

nce within his heart, then I shall comply. However, his affirmation is absent; thus, I remain skeptical. Bring him forth, an

and Pricina possessed knowledge of Christian's location, it remained undisclosed,

or I would not relinquish any par